Abrupt departure for ServicePower chief

MARK Duffin, chief executive of Stockport’s ServicePower Technologies, has stepped down and is on gardening leave.

A statement from the stock market-listed firm said he was still employed by the business, which provides software services to the field management management sector.

The company said he was covered by a 12-month notice period but, “discussions are taking place as to Mark’s departure from the company”. Chief financial officer Marne Martin has been appointed interim chief executive.

No further explanation was given for his departure and a spokesperson would not elaborate. The change came as ServicePower said revenues were up 35% on last year in a trading update. Losses have been reduced and it expects to return to profit in the six months to June 30.

It added: “A number of new ServiceOperations contracts were secured in the period, in both the US and UK, including with a well known British department store group, and several blue chip companies signed contracts for the company’s recently enhanced mobility offering.

“These contracts add to the strong levels of recurring revenues generated by the business, which is complemented by the strengthening pipeline.”